Camp Catoctin BSA 2024 will take place August 11-17, 2024. Mark your calendars and check-out our website campcatoctinbsa.org or Facebook (Facebook.com/CampCatoctinBSA) for up-to-date information.
STEM took off with Troops 1778, 403, and 214 on Friday Night!!
12 Scouts from three local Troops took flight with some help from 1400 horsepower fans and some nifty aerodynamic engineering. iFly Baltimore hosted an Up and Away NOVA field trip for these Scouts. They started with Randy, a retired missile flight engineer, explaining the history, design, and build process that produced the 5th generation vertical wind tunnel. After that talk, the group was split in two – Half went to their Preflight, and the others worked on building parachute delivery systems to deliver paperclips back to earth safely.
The flights are just one minute at a time, but it is the “longest minute ever,” according to several
Scouts. Flying in winds nearing hurricane force and assisted by a certified coach, Scouts (and some parents) learned how to stabilize in the air, turned left and right, and went on a “high-flight” approximately 30 feet above the floor.
Did you know that rain falls at approximately 21 miles per hour? Our Scouts tested it! They gave the instructor a pitcher full of water, and he could suspend it in the air column with help from the tunnel operator. They also tested how much wind it would take to pick up several objects off the net floor of the tunnel. A giant stuffed Pikachu was the first to float away, and a Nerf Football stayed grounded until 94 miles per hour.
These daredevils will spend time on their own watching or reading material about fluid dynamics and earning a STEM-focused merit badge. Once those activities are completed – They’ll be some of NCAC’s newest NOVA Award recipients.
Please feel free to contact STEM@ncacbsa.org if you have questions about the NOVA Award program. You can also reach out to iFly directly to schedule a similar event for your unit.
Michael’s Woodshop is Expanding!
Since opening in 2018, Michael’s Woodshop has become one of the most popular activity venues at Camp William B. Snyder, offering fun, hands-on activities for all NCAC Scouting youth. Activities in Michael’s Woodshop attracted over 1,800 youth participants in 2022 and is expected to exceed that number in 2023. In order to accommodate the increasing demand, Michael’s Woodshop has begun the renovation and outfitting of additional space in the STEM Shack. In August, Michael’s Woodshop Volunteers teamed up with volunteers supporting Camp Snyder’s monthly Sawdust Saturdays to remove a large volume of unneeded “clutter” and removed a partition to ready the space for renovations. Track our progress: Watch Slideshow
The success of Michael’s Woodshop is attributable to the incredible support from the NCAC Scouting community in the form of shop volunteers, tool donations and of course, the time and effort of all the leaders who coordinate shop events for their units. We are excited about the expansion and ongoing support will be critical to our continued success.
Become a Volunteer: Since its inception, Michael’s Woodshop has been operated and maintained by a team of dedicated volunteers. We will need additional Shop Volunteers to support the expanded level of activity. Roles are available for adults and youth, from novices to experienced woodworkers. Adult volunteers must be BSA registered with current YPT. Youth volunteers need to be at least 14 years old and must have earned the First Aid and Woodwork merit badges. Please go to “Join the Woodshop Team” to learn more.
Donate Tools: If you are not able to volunteer, but wish to support the expansion, please consider donating tools or equipment to Michael’s Woodshop. To view our current tool needs as well as recent donations, please visit Support Michael’s Woodshop.
To learn more about the woodshop, please visit the Michael’s Woodshop Webpage or email questions to the volunteer team at MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com.
Upcoming Events at NCAC Camps
Looking for fun activities to fill those fall weekends? Mark your calendar for a weekend of family fun, service to your favorite camp, or training.
Fall Family Camps at Camp Snyder
Weekend I: October 20-22, 2023
Weekend II: November 17-19,2023
Sign up for a weekend of fall fun for all ages! Shoot BBs or arrows, climb the Scouterhorn climbing tower, create your own handicraft, build something in the Woodshop, or participate in many other hands-on activities.
More information and registration can be found here: www.gotosnyder.org/year-round-events/cub-scout-expo/
Volunteer Work Weekend at Goshen Scout Reservation
September 22-24, 2023
Units and volunteers are invited for a fall work weekend to assist in camp beautification! Open to members of the scouting community, participants will assist in painting, brush clearing, and other beautification tasks.
More information and registration can be found here: www.gotogoshen.org/vww
GSAA Service Weekend at Goshen Scout Reservation
October 13-15, 2023
Goshen Scout Reservation Staff Alumni are invited by the Goshen Staff Alumni Association (GSAA) for a fall work weekend! Open to staff alumni from any Goshen camp and any friends or family who want to help out, ages 18 and up. We’ll be fixing, painting, building, maintaining, and doing other such work on many projects around the Reservation. Meet other staff alumni new and old, spend some time at Goshen, and help us prepare for the next season of summer camp!
More information and registration can be found here: www.gotogoshen.org/gsaasw
Spooktakular Fall Festival at Camp William B. Snyder
October 27-29, 2023
Join us for a frightfully fun weekend at our Spooktacular Fall Festival. Go on a hayride, take part in the Zombie Run, shoot arrows at Archery, explore some STEM activities, and celebrate fall with food and crafts.
More information and registration can be found here: scoutingevent.com/082-70773
Other Events
Sawdust Saturdays
Support Camp William B. Snyder’s summer and year-round programs by volunteering! Service days run from 9am to 1pm and projects include carpentry and painting among others. Learn more at www.gotosnyder.org/work-volunteer/service-days/
Michael’s Woodshop
There’s always something happening at Michael’s Woodshop! Events this fall include Pinewood Derby Days, Woodwork Merit Badge Classes, and Baloo the Builder sessions. Learn more at www.gotosnyder.org/rentals/michaels-wood-shop
OPI Wilderness First Aid Training
Get trained for your 2024 high adventure with NCAC’s Outdoor Preparedness Initiative! Whether you are planning a trip to a National High Adventure, our local Lenhok’sin High Adventure, or designing your own expedition, this is a must have training. Certification is offered through the American Red Cross and fall sessions are open for registration. Learn more at www.ncacbsa.org/opi-wfa
Eagle Project Builds New Signs for Veterans’ Golf Course
Liam Riley of Troop 255 in Chevy Chase, MD led the design, construction, and installation of new golf course signage for the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, DC.
Exploring Advisor graduates from Citizens Police Academy!
Luz Diaz Villalobos has long been written about as an admirable youth in NCAC’s Exploring programs, and today, she continues to inspire with her accomplishments as a young adult.
Most recently, Diaz Villalobos graduated from the Prince George’s County Citizen’s Police Academy. This multi-month course educates civilians about the criminal justice system through interactive classes and facilitated discussion. Outside of this, Diaz Villalobos works as an Assistant Teacher at Estrellitas Montessori School DC, where the owner Marilyn Medrano says she is a special teacher. Diaz Villalobos also volunteers relentlessly as an Exploring Advisor for PGPD’s youth programs, and is always there for her younger siblings and community members. Amongst her many responsibilities, Diaz Villalobos kept the commitment to attend the regular CPA sessions, with determination to successfully complete the Academy.
On the final day, at a church in the county, Prince George’s County Chief of Police, Aziz Malik presented Diaz Villalobos with her award. Other dignitaries included Councilmember Jolene Ivey, whom Diaz Villalobos also thanks for her support. As soon as Diaz Villalobos’ name was announced, a crowd of over two dozen people erupted in cheers! Luz is accomplished, admirable and a truly beloved member of her community. In attendance were several officers from PGPD who have supported her to this day including Cpl. Black, Cpl. Lobin, Cpl. Ross, Sgt Jeffries, Captain Eboug, Captain Serpes and Lieutenant Dazzie. From Seat Pleasant, Officer Miller and Officer Bowers attended and from all across Prince George’s County came several younger Explorers to whom Diaz Villalobos now serves as a mentor. Though not pictured, a special mention also goes to Cpl. Hibbert who has always supported Diaz Villalobos too. Last but not least, a special shout out to Diaz Villalobos’ family for being present in this accomplishment!
Diaz Villalobos set precedent as the only Hispanic to graduate from the Prince George’s County Citizen Police Academy for Class 48! This is not the first time that Luz Diaz Villalobos set a record.
In her own words, we share her story of making history in Exploring.
“Upon my arrival to the United States, I set goals for myself and my future. I was determined to learn and flourish in school… While at William Wirt Middle School, I joined the soccer team starting one of my goals of being a scholar-athlete.
In 10th Grade, I learned about the Prince George’s County Police Explorers program, which focused on preparing student leaders for careers in Law Enforcement. While in 11th Grade, I joined the Explorers program in order to begin my goals of becoming a Police Cadet. Within one year of my time in the Explorers program, I have lead efforts to increase the program from 8 students to over 60 students! In addition, I have attended several conferences that have helped me develop my leadership skills as I set my focus on becoming a Police Officer. 
Throughout my tenure in the Prince George’s County Explorers program, I have moved up in rank from a basic explorer to Lieutenant. In 2019, through a strenuous process of assessments and interviews, I was promoted to Explorer Captain. I am now the first female and first Hispanic to lead the post!
As I continue to achieve one of my goals of becoming an American citizen, I know that is the first step in achieving my ultimate goal of becoming a Police Officer!”
To learn more about PGPD’s Law Enforcement Exploring Program, please visit: www.pgpdexplorers.com